ICO Urges Google To Amend Privacy Policy Until 20 September

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has asked search giant Google to bring its privacy policy in line with the Data Protection Act until 20 September 2013, otherwise it risks facing legal action and fines.

According to an article published by Computer World, ICO has joined hands with the other 27 data protection bodies in Europe to address concerns related to Google’s privacy policy. The UK’s call follows similar moves already taken by France and Spain, who have warned the company it was leaving itself open to sanction if it doesn’t react adequately soon.

ICO’s warning adds to tensions between Google and data protection agencies over the company’s decision to update its privacy policy last year, allowing users of its services to have a single profile to access platforms such as Gmail and YouTube. The move was part of Google’s plan to boost the effectiveness of adverts displayed on the channels, but EU privacy regulators argued this was in breach of their rules.

ICO believes that Google’s updated policy does not give UK users sufficient information to understand how their data will be used across its services, insisting that it needs to modify its rules so that they become more informative.

The privacy regulator has the power to force Google to change its policy if it fails to do so by 20 September and impose a fine of up to £500,000.

Recently, ICO ordered Google to delete all information obtained from WiFi networks for its Google Street View projects until 25 July.